A home. It\u2019s a needed part of life. For someone who has spent days and nights living on the streets, it may seem unattainable.<\/p>\n
Michael Williams may be captured with a smile, but it\u2019s an earned smile. One he earned while living homeless and sober. This victory was not achieved alone. Michael, called \u201cMikey,\u201d through different avenues, had helping hands.<\/p>\n
One of them is Sarah Prylinski. Sarah is the clinical manager at the Hamot Health Foundation and BUILD CDC. She met Mikey through her work on the streets and helped him with medical and housing needs.<\/p>\n
Her work also connects to other community partners, like UPMC Health Plan, through its various outreach programs.<\/p>\n
Ray Prushnok stated that is across four Pennsylvania counties, including Erie County. He\u2019s the executive director of the UPMC Center for Social Impact and manages the Cultivating Health for Success program.<\/p>\n
The mission that housing pushes better health, and community partners are key. From getting IDs to filling out forms. Meredith Rodenbaugh assists the homeless population through UPMC Western Behavioral Health Safe Harbor.<\/p>\n
She stated that when a person is accepted into a housing program, she\u2019s there to view apartments, talk with landlords, and even help furnish their new home.<\/p>\n
Now, for Michael, a literal new lease on life. Now that he has a home, Mikey still meets regularly with those who helped him.<\/p>\n